tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494637982042114204Tue, 03 Mar 2015 14:33:24 +0000Life StoriesEnglandchurchbook reviewzombie resourcefoodJacobLucyplaygroundscomicsparent resourceThe Walking Deadmovie reviewsItalyRobert KirkmanChristmasWalking Dead TVSpainFranceMarylandmuseumRomeYorkBelgiumIrelandUSAcastlebeerGermanymoviesNational TrustGreecehotelsCretegamesGraphic Novels Challenge 2013Maltagame reviewsschoolParisCatholicwriting groupBrugesstatuesBudapestHungarygardenslibraryPragueTV reviewsCzech RepublicFrederickHarrogateMike MignolaNaZRiponpubsThe NetherlandsboatsLake DistricthistorymusictrainsBrusselsDoctor WhoFloridaVeniceairportbridgesparent adviceBoneHellboyJeff SmithScotlandbirthdayBibleHalloweenLondonYorkshirecraftsFaroGranadaKnaresboroughMinnesotaPortugalStuttgartarcheologydancingruinswallsAsterixForgotten ClassicsHarlow Carr GardenKilkennyNicholasOxfordShakespeareVeronaWWIIalcoholZombie Parent's GuideThe guide that will inform and entertain as it reviews zombie resources with the eyes of a parent and parenting resources with the eyes of a zombie.http://zombieparentsguide.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Joseph Reninger)Blogger1604125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494637982042114204.post-6860102132716984592Tue, 03 Mar 2015 07:00:00 +00002015-03-03T02:00:00.218-05:00Robert KirkmanThe Walking DeadTV reviewsWalking Dead TVThe Walking Dead Ep. 512, Remember
The Walking Dead, Season 5, Episode 12: Remember
TV rating
TV-MA
ZPAA rating
Teens and up
Offensive content
Less than the usual number of zombie kills; human-on-human violence that's pretty mild by this show's standards; some rough language; Daryl kills a possum, carries it around with him, and eventually guts it; some blatant lies.
Synopsis & Review
Rick and company go into Alexandriahttp://zombieparentsguide.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-walking-dead-ep-512-remember.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Joseph Reninger)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494637982042114204.post-123385872907951020Mon, 02 Mar 2015 07:00:00 +00002015-03-02T02:00:11.025-05:00Goddard Space Flight CenterLife StoriesMarylandscience museumGoddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland
The Goddard Space Flight Center has a nice, not very large, visitor center where we spent a fun afternoon. What kid doesn't love space? The center includes all sorts of displays, about planets and galaxies, artificial satellites, space ships, and they even have some rockets outside.
Goddard's Visitor Center
Jacob and Lucy enjoyed posing in front of informational displays more than reading http://zombieparentsguide.blogspot.com/2015/03/goddard-space-flight-center-greenbelt.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Joseph Reninger)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494637982042114204.post-7593625406073647660Sat, 28 Feb 2015 07:00:00 +00002015-02-28T02:00:00.686-05:00Biblebook reviewGospelsKai CarpenterMark AreyMatt DorffBook Review: Messiah: Origin Adapted by Matt Dorff
Messiah: Origin adapted and edited by Matt Dorff, translations by Mark Arey, art by Kai Carpenter
A lot of superhero franchise reboots suffer from the same problem. The adapters don't appreciate the source material from which they craft a "new take on" or a "more relevant version of" someone like Superman, who has been ill-served recently in both comic books and on the big screen.
Messiah: http://zombieparentsguide.blogspot.com/2015/02/book-review-messiah-origin-adapted-by.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Joseph Reninger)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494637982042114204.post-3091894272422772863Fri, 27 Feb 2015 07:00:00 +00002015-02-27T02:00:01.846-05:00Dawn of the Planet of the ApesMatt Reevesmovie reviewsPlanet of the ApesMovie Review: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014) directed by Matt Reeves
A decade after the events of Rise of the Planet of the Apes, the ape-ocalypse is in full swing. The apes have built a primitive community in the hills outside of San Francisco, where they hunt and gather and speak in sign language. They haven't seen any humans for two years but that changes quickly. Two friends go fishing. As they http://zombieparentsguide.blogspot.com/2015/02/movie-review-dawn-of-planet-of-apes-2014.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Joseph Reninger)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494637982042114204.post-4695179291078240988Thu, 26 Feb 2015 07:00:00 +00002015-02-26T02:00:05.986-05:00foodJacobLife StoriesscoutJacob's BSA Report for February 2015
February may be a short month for the calendar but it is a busy month for Cub Scouts. Jacob's den meeting was devoted to making centerpieces for the Blue and Gold Banquet later in the month. The banquet is a celebration of Scouting, which began in February of 1910. At the banquet, most of the boys receive recognition for their achievements that year, including the most senior cubs who move from http://zombieparentsguide.blogspot.com/2015/02/jacobs-bsa-report-for-february-2015.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Joseph Reninger)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494637982042114204.post-2652065350855182313Wed, 25 Feb 2015 07:00:00 +00002015-02-25T02:00:08.283-05:00AristotleAristotle for Everybodybook reviewMortimer J. AdlerphilosophyBook Review: Aristotle of Everybody by Mortimer J. Adler
Aristotle of Everybody: Difficult Thought Made Easy by Mortimer J. Adler
Writing a comprehensive and concise summary of Aristotle's ideas is a difficult task, especially if the author wishes it to be accessible not only to the average reader but also to children in middle school. That ambition is what Mortimer Adler aimed at with this book. His thirteen year-old and his eleven year-old read http://zombieparentsguide.blogspot.com/2015/02/book-review-aristotle-of-everybody-by.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Joseph Reninger)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494637982042114204.post-6409534095806463831Tue, 24 Feb 2015 07:00:00 +00002015-02-24T02:00:09.251-05:00Robert KirkmanThe Walking DeadTV reviewsWalking Dead TVThe Walking Dead Ep. 511, The Distance
The Walking Dead, Season 5, Episode 11: The Distance
TV rating
TV-MA
ZPAA rating
Teens and u
Offensive content
The usual assortment of bloody zombie deaths; bad attitudes; one gay kiss.
Synopsis & Review
The group takes Aaron in and interrogates him about who he is and where he is from. He's mostly open and upbeat even after Rick punches him out. Aaron is sent from a large community http://zombieparentsguide.blogspot.com/2015/02/the-walking-dead-ep-511-distance.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Joseph Reninger)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494637982042114204.post-3271850003295739858Mon, 23 Feb 2015 07:00:00 +00002015-02-23T02:00:00.720-05:00JacobLife StoriesLucyNicholasCute Kid Pix February 2015
Here's some more cute pictures of the kids from the past couple of months! We start with some bedtime leftovers from the Florida trip...
Lucy tries to get Nicholas to sleep
Peek-a-boo
Nicholas, don't pull your sister's hair!
Mug shot after the cops got involved in the previous picture
Nicholas had lots of fun hanging out over Christmas with his cousin Kira!
Kira and Nicholas
http://zombieparentsguide.blogspot.com/2015/02/cute-kid-pix-february-2015.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Joseph Reninger)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494637982042114204.post-7167224865701595647Sat, 21 Feb 2015 07:00:00 +00002015-02-21T02:00:00.401-05:00BaltimorebeerbrewingHeavy Seas BreweryLife StoriesMarylandHeavy Seas Brewery Tour
Heavy Seas Brewery is just outside of Baltimore. They offer free, child-friendly tours on the weekend, so we took advantage in the middle of a cold January. The brewery has a nice tap room that serves their ales. Tour participants can pay five dollars to get a souvenir pint glass and five samplings. We arrived just before the tour started so I did get a glass but not a sample before we headed http://zombieparentsguide.blogspot.com/2015/02/heavy-seas-brewery-tour.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Joseph Reninger)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494637982042114204.post-1813942995815434366Fri, 20 Feb 2015 07:00:00 +00002015-02-20T02:00:05.238-05:00book reviewL. Frank BaumWizard of OzBook Review: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
Before there was the blockbuster movie, there was the book it came from--The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. My children have seen the movie and a few weeks ago we decided to read the first book in the Oz series for bedtime reading. Like the movie, the book starts with the grey and hard Kansas life of Dorothy. Unlike the movie, there aren't all the other http://zombieparentsguide.blogspot.com/2015/02/book-review-wonderful-wizard-of-oz-by-l.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Joseph Reninger)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494637982042114204.post-5540160291383583695Thu, 19 Feb 2015 07:00:00 +00002015-02-19T02:00:02.691-05:00Life StoriesRobinson Nature CenterruinsRobinson Nature Center--Outside
The Robinson Nature Center is an educational center focused on the natural world. We went to visit in the summer of 2014 with some friends. The only pictures I took were outside!
The 18-acre grounds have a variety of trails that let visitors appreciate the flora and fauna, though we saw mostly flora. The paved trails are near the center. Dirt paths go through the woods.
The nice, paved http://zombieparentsguide.blogspot.com/2015/02/robinson-nature-center-outside.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Joseph Reninger)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494637982042114204.post-762577583217804937Wed, 18 Feb 2015 07:00:00 +00002015-02-18T02:00:02.251-05:00Robert KirkmanThe Walking DeadTV reviewsWalking Dead TVThe Walking Dead, Ep. 510, Them
The Walking Dead, Season 5, Episode 10: Them
TV rating
TV-MA
ZPAA rating
Teens and up
Offensive content
Not much language (in fact, the characters do very little talking in this episode at all); plenty of zombie kills but not as gory as earlier episodes.
Synopsis & Review
The group is on the road to Washington, D.C., but everything is running out. They're out of gas, so they walk. http://zombieparentsguide.blogspot.com/2015/02/the-walking-dead-ep-510-them.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Joseph Reninger)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494637982042114204.post-516426871101450768Tue, 17 Feb 2015 07:00:00 +00002015-02-17T02:00:01.102-05:00Alison WilgusAvatarbook reviewcomicsDave RomanLast AirbenderZukoBook Review: The Last Airbender: Prequel: Zuko's Story by Dave Roman et al.
The Last Airbender: Prequel: Zuko's Story story by Dave Roman and Alison Wilgus, art by Nina Matsumoto
This prequel to The Last Airbender movie gives the back story of the main villain, Prince Zuko. He is a prince of the Fire Nation and at the beginning of this story he is cast out of the kingdom by his father for an unseen transgression. The only way for him to regain his honor is to find thehttp://zombieparentsguide.blogspot.com/2015/02/book-review-last-airbender-prequel.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Joseph Reninger)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494637982042114204.post-3823587096078864209Mon, 16 Feb 2015 07:00:00 +00002015-02-16T02:00:02.324-05:00Baltimoreboard gamesgame reviewsLife StoriesUnpubUnpub 5
Unpub is a game convention where designers of unpublished games can have them playtested by the random strangers who show up for the convention. The designers pay a fee to have a table at the convention, the playtesters get in for free. Since this year's Unpub (the fifth one) was held at the Baltimore Convention Center (which is about 20 minutes away from our home) I decided to be a random http://zombieparentsguide.blogspot.com/2015/02/unpub-5.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Joseph Reninger)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494637982042114204.post-3337392034457106296Sun, 15 Feb 2015 07:00:00 +00002015-02-15T02:00:05.223-05:00EasterLentLife StoriesPlans for Lent 2015
Ash Wednesday is this coming Wednesday as I post. Since I've been out of new churches to blog about for a while, I thought I'd write about my plans for Lent this Sunday. In preparation for Easter, the Church recommends certain activities during Lent: Praying, Fasting, and Almsgiving. I've thrown in a little bonus too!
Praying
I don't have set times for personal prayer which needs to change. I http://zombieparentsguide.blogspot.com/2015/02/plans-for-lent-2015.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Joseph Reninger)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494637982042114204.post-4745048743660004739Sat, 14 Feb 2015 07:00:00 +00002015-02-14T02:00:01.433-05:00Ellicott Cityfarmer's marketLife StoriesMarylandtrainsA Saturday Visit to Ellicott City, MD
Back in the summer, we went to the Ellicott City Old Town Farmers Market. Parking is better earlier--since we are early risers we were able to park in the shade. The market is located at Tonge Row, a row of houses built in the early 1800s by Ann Tonge for the mill workers in the area.
Tonge Row sign
Farmers Market
More row houses and market
Lucy tips a busker
We didn't buy much http://zombieparentsguide.blogspot.com/2015/02/a-saturday-visit-to-ellicott-city-md.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Joseph Reninger)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494637982042114204.post-1220251685834239292Fri, 13 Feb 2015 07:00:00 +00002015-02-13T02:00:00.367-05:00book reviewcomicsFireflySerenityZack WhedonBook Review: Serenity Vol. 4: Leaves on the Wind by Zack Whedon et al.
Serenity Volume 4: Leaves on the Wind written by Zack Whedon, art by Georges Jeanty, Karl Story, and Laura Martin
Leaves on the Wind picks up the story of Serenity's crew after the events of the movie (so if you haven't seen the movie, don't keep reading because there are spoilers aplenty ahead). Captain Mal is on the run from the Alliance who are upset about the revelations about the Reavers.http://zombieparentsguide.blogspot.com/2015/02/book-review-serenity-vol-4-leaves-on.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Joseph Reninger)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494637982042114204.post-7746364114196594781Thu, 12 Feb 2015 07:00:00 +00002015-02-12T02:00:06.281-05:00Ellicott CityhouseLife StoriesMarylandMount IdaMount Ida, Ellicott City, Maryland
On the hill overlooking Ellicott City is a 19th century mansion called Mount Ida. It was built in 1828 for William Ellicott, grandson of Ellicott's Mills founder Andrew. The house has the Greek Revival style that is often found in pre-Civil War southern mansions.
Mount Ida
William died in 1838 and Judge John Snowden Tyson bought the property (it's right near the courthouse, so it is http://zombieparentsguide.blogspot.com/2015/02/mount-ida-ellicott-city-maryland.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Joseph Reninger)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494637982042114204.post-591557426093663530Wed, 11 Feb 2015 07:00:00 +00002015-02-11T02:00:10.038-05:00EnglandfoodHarrogateLife StoriesplaygroundsValley GardensLast Days in England
For our last few days in England, we spent a lot of time in Valley Gardens. It's a huge park with gardens mostly but the main attraction for us is the amazing playground. One day it was warm enough for the children to use the wading pool. The pool isn't very deep but is large enough to accommodate many, many children. Jacob took as much advantage as he could, swimming like a crocodile.
Jacob http://zombieparentsguide.blogspot.com/2015/02/last-days-in-england.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Joseph Reninger)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494637982042114204.post-3161319342671686488Tue, 10 Feb 2015 07:00:00 +00002015-02-10T02:00:00.867-05:00Robert KirkmanThe Walking DeadWalking Dead TVThe Walking Dead Ep. 509, What Happened and What's Going On
The Walking Dead, Season 5, Episode 9: What Happened and What's Going On
TV rating
TV-MA
ZPAA rating
Adults only
Offensive content
The usual variety and gore of zombies and head wounds, including some corpses with nasty head wounds. Not much language, no sex.
Synopsis & Review
I didn't review the first half of season five for two reasons: (1) life was very busy back then, and (2) the http://zombieparentsguide.blogspot.com/2015/02/the-walking-dead-ep-509-what-happened.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Joseph Reninger)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494637982042114204.post-2236383041453781349Mon, 09 Feb 2015 07:00:00 +00002015-02-09T02:00:11.448-05:00Aristotlebook reviewConor GallagheriPodparent resourceBook Review: If Aristotle's Kid Had an iPod by Conor Gallagher
If Aristotle's Kid Had an iPod: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Parents by Conor Gallagher
A popular internet parenting meme is "Steve Jobs didn't let his kids have an iPad." I've never taken the click-bait since I don't have any idea whether Jobs was a good parent or not. Sure, he's a brilliant entrepreneur and a smart guy, but that doesn't make him a good dad. Then I saw the title of this book andhttp://zombieparentsguide.blogspot.com/2015/02/book-review-if-aristotles-kid-had-ipod.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Joseph Reninger)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494637982042114204.post-5269747332068231753Sun, 08 Feb 2015 07:00:00 +00002015-02-08T02:00:01.571-05:00churchGermanyHeidelbergJesuitsJesuitenkirche, Heidelberg
Another classic church post from the archives!
Jesuitenkirche, Heidelberg
The Jesuit church in Heidelberg has an interesting blend of the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Built in the early 1700s when the Jesuits came to town, in many ways it looks like a counter-Reformation boast of the greatness of Catholicism. You don't like statues or saints? Here's some of the best saints in glorious http://zombieparentsguide.blogspot.com/2015/02/jesuitenkirche-heidelberg.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Joseph Reninger)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494637982042114204.post-7267851607600932873Sat, 07 Feb 2015 07:00:00 +00002015-02-07T02:00:02.976-05:00Avatarbook reviewcomicsGene Luen YangLast AirbenderBook Review: Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Promise - Part Three by Gene Luen Yang et al.
Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Promise - Part Three written by Gene Luen Yang, art by Gurihiru, lettering by Michael Heisler
Avatar Aang arrives at Yu Dao, the Fire Nation city on Earth Kingdom soil, before the armies of both countries make it there. He fails to convince the local Fire Nation people to leave. They claim that they are too fully integrated to go--this is their home. Then the http://zombieparentsguide.blogspot.com/2015/02/book-review-avatar-last-airbender_7.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Joseph Reninger)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494637982042114204.post-5212950894129966660Fri, 06 Feb 2015 07:00:00 +00002015-02-06T02:00:04.332-05:00Mike Flanaganmovie reviewsOculusMovie Review: Oculus (2013)
Oculus (2013) directed and co-written by Mike Flanagan
Oculus is a movie that definitely benefits from knowing little to nothing about the plot before seeing the film. It's about a sister and a brother dealing with what she thinks is a haunted mirror. It's intense and engaging, though some people (like my wife) may be turned off by the family going crazy and hurting each other. I won't say http://zombieparentsguide.blogspot.com/2015/02/movie-review-oculus-2013.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Joseph Reninger)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7494637982042114204.post-7756539166196329119Thu, 05 Feb 2015 07:00:00 +00002015-02-05T02:00:02.800-05:00BirdsEnglandLife StoriesWarwick CastleWarwick Castle Birds of Prey, England
Like many mansions and castles in England, Warwick Castle has an aviary populated with exotic birds. Being a more military place, the birds are more predatory.
First up is Frank, the Egyptian Vulture (yes, they've named their birds, though Frank is not very Egyptian if you ask me). The small vulture (neophron percnopterus) is also called the "Pharoah's Chicken," which may be a worse name than http://zombieparentsguide.blogspot.com/2015/02/warwick-castle-birds-of-prey-england.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Joseph Reninger)0